New Delhi: The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi crossed the warning mark on Thursday morning. This prompted authorities to issue an alert for a potential flood-like situation in low-lying areas of the city.
Officials from the Central Water Commission reported that the river measured 204.88 metres at the Old Railway Bridge, exceeding the warning level of 204.50 metres. While this is still below the danger mark of 205.33 metres, authorities are closely watching the situation as water levels continue to rise due to ongoing rainfall upstream.
The Delhi government has alerted all relevant departments, including those dealing with irrigation, flood control, district administrations, and disaster management, to be ready for any emergency response if the river keeps rising. Officials mentioned that evacuation procedures are usually activated if the water level reaches 206 metres.
This situation arises amid heavy rainfall across northern India, which has also caused rising water levels in several rivers in Uttar Pradesh, such as the Ganga in Prayagraj and Varanasi, where it is approaching danger levels.
Historically, the rise of the Yamuna has led to flooding in parts of East Delhi and near the floodplains, affecting thousands of residents and disrupting traffic and infrastructure. Authorities have urged people in at-risk areas to stay alert and follow official advisories.
Officials stated that they maintain regular communication with the Central Water Commission and the India Meteorological Department for real-time updates and forecasts.
Last year, Delhi experienced severe flooding due to a similar increase in Yamuna levels. This resulted in large-scale evacuations and damage to public property. Currently, no evacuation has been ordered, but the administration remains vigilant.
